Friday 16 March 2018

Cheltenham Festival Day 4 - Gold Cup Day



13:30 TRIUMPH HURDLE

Mr Adjudicator did his best work at the end when winning his last start at Leopardstown and this can help keep his 100% record under Paul Townend

Saldier isn’’t as experienced as the rest of the field but his win at his first attempt can be marked up as he was bothered by loose horses through the race.  He is plenty talented enough to at least run into a place

TRIUMPH HURDLE
WIN
 Mr Adjudicator
Each Way
 Saldier




14:10 COUNTY HURDLE

The only reason these two selections aren’t the other way around is that one of the stables aren’t firing on all cylinders at the moment…and it’s not Willie Mullins!  Sandsend won in a game fashion last time out and could benefit from this stiffer course

A Hare Breath reverted to hurdling after running in the Arkle at last year’s festival and runs well fresh (he won a listed hurdle in Dec after an 8 month break) and has won on soft ground

COUNTY HURDLE
WIN
Sandsend
Each Way
A Hare Breath




14:50 ALBERT BARTLETT NOVICES’ HURDLE

Santini won a Grade 2 here in January and has yet to be beaten.  He’s unexposed with plenty of room to improve even further and his style of running will suit this big field

Chris’s Dream won a 3m hurdle at Clonmel in Feb as easy as you like and won’t mind what the weather does.  With Henry De Bromhead back in the winners circle, he is one of my two top picks

IF THE GOING TURNS HEAVY then Fabulous Saga is one for an each way

ALBERT BARTLETT NOVICES’ HURDLE
WIN
Santini
Each Way
Chris’s Dream




15:30 GOLD CUP CHASE


Might Bite won the King George on soft and has won over this stiffer 3 miles here in the past.  He has a scary (if you’re backing him!) habit of idling about a furlong from home but Nico knows how him well enough to get him home in front

Definitly Red would appreciate more rain but even if its not forthcoming, he can run well on soft.  He won here in January, storming up the hill in heavy ground and if his jumping holds up then he has a better than good each way chance

GOLD CUP CHASE
WIN
 Might Bite
Each Way
 Definitly Red




16:10 FOXHUNTER CHALLENGE HUNTERS’ CHASE

Unioniste won his last two hunter chases more than easily and is ridden by his owner David Maxell (2 wins from 3 when riding).  He has won here on heavy in the past and came 4th in an RSA in 2013 so has plenty of class and experience

Volnay De Thaix is having his first start for a new trainer after leaving Nicky Henderson’s yard.  He’ll be happy on the ground and should be ok with this distance although not guaranteed (hence the price)

FOXHUNTER CHALLENGE HUNTERS’ CHASE
WIN
Unioniste
Each Way
Volnay De Thaix




16:50 MARTIN PIPE CONDITIONAL JOCKEY’S HURDLE

Flawless Escape heads the market for trainer of the moment Gordon Elliott and finished ahead of yesterday’s winner Delta Work last time out so it all points to a huge run

Carter McKay is partnered by Jamie Bargary who rode very well to finish 2nd on Splash Of Ginge in the Festival Plate here yesterday. He is a bigger price than I would have him down for moving into handicaps for the first time and well worth an each way investment

MARTIN PIPE CONDITIONAL JOCKEY’S HURDLE
WIN
Flawless Escape
Each Way
Carter McKay




17:30 GRAND ANNUAL CHALLENGE CUP CHASE

GRAND ANNUAL CHALLENGE CUP CHASE
WIN
 Foxtail Hill
Each Way
 Dresden






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